Abstract
Author(s): Boulanger, RW; Wilson, DW; Kutter, BL; DeJong, JT; Bronner, CE | Abstract: The 9-m and 1-m radius geotechnical centrifuges at the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) facility at the University of California at Davis provide the national research community with open access to unique and versatile modeling capabilities for advancing methods to predict and improve the performance of soil and soil-structure systems affected by earthquake, wave, wind, and storm surge loadings. Large-scale centrifuge models are particularly effective for the building of basic science knowledge, the validation of advanced computational models from the component to the holistic system level, and the validation of innovative soil remediation strategies. The capabilities and unique role of large-scale centrifuge modeling are illustrated using three example research projects from the shared-use NHERI facility. Education impacts stemming from operations activities and coordination of activities by the center’s user base are discussed. Future directions and opportunities for research using the NHERI facilities are discussed.
Highlights
Centrifuge modeling addresses a fundamental challenge in the scaled physical modeling of geotechnical structures – the need for proper modeling of stress conditions given that most soil properties are dependent on effective confining stress
This paper describes the capabilities of the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) Centrifuge Facility and the essential role of geotechnical centrifuge modeling for advancing methods to predict and improve the performance of soil and soil-structure systems affected by earthquake, wave, wind and storm surge loadings
Large-scale centrifuge models were an essential component of the research studies supporting the development of fundamental understanding and validation of analysis methods for estimating rocking behaviors and the associated foundation settlements, with one example being the work by Liu et al (2015a,b) described
Summary
Centrifuge modeling addresses a fundamental challenge in the scaled physical modeling of geotechnical structures – the need for proper modeling of stress conditions given that most soil properties are dependent on effective confining stress. This paper describes the capabilities of the NHERI Centrifuge Facility and the essential role of geotechnical centrifuge modeling for advancing methods to predict and improve the performance of soil and soil-structure systems affected by earthquake, wave, wind and storm surge loadings.
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